Banbury to Oxford

 

 

Banbury to Oxford is a trip of 27 miles,16 locks and 18 moveable bridges.

 

This a charming trip down the South Oxford Canal which passes through  the lovely Thrupp, Upper & Lower Heyfords, Somerton and  Kidlington. 

                    

We’ll expect our guests to arrive about 1.30pm  and after an introductory blah blah (and most probably a glass of something fizzy) we’ll depart Banbury Visitor moorings, top up with water   and put in an hour or so chugging (depending on the weather) – possibly even working our way to Ayno Wharf our 1st night together.

 

The next morning (after a simple DIY breakfast), we’ll chug off and make our way towards Somerton Deep Lock, through Upper Heyford before mooring for the night at Lower Heyford.  This a handy place too moor just after the tap so we can reverse in the morning to fill the water tank before we head off.

 

Today we’ll approach Thrupp – possibly stopping there (or just lunching) or continue to Kidlington for the night. 

 

Our aim will be to get a couple of hours chugging away from Oxford today due to the limited mooring available on the canal, WITHOUT going down on to the Thames.  Worse case scenario, we’ll do just that and terminate this cruise on the Thames in Oxford  just above Osney Lock.  To be fair, it doesn’t really matter whether we moor on the canal OR the River as the walk to the train station is about equidistant.

 

Hopefully we’ll have arrived early enough for our guests to wander off and explore Oxford in the afternoon. 

 

There is scope to put in longer days and spend a couple of nights moored in Oxford if our guests would prefer that (Capt. E. is flexible either way as he really LOVES Oxford!) … meals will have to be more flexible and possibly even DIY so bear that in mind if requesting the final 2 nights moored in the City.